Al-Hilal recorded a 3-2 victory over Al-Ittihad in the Saudi Pro League match played Saturday at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh. Gabriel Martinelli scored for the hosts in the 11th minute. Youssef En-Nesyri equalized for the visitors in the 22nd minute before Ollie Watkins put Al-Hilal back in front in the 30th minute. Crysencio Summerville added a goal in the 64th minute according to match reports from ESPN and other outlets that tracked the fixture.
Steven Bergwijn converted a penalty for Al-Ittihad in the 89th minute. The home side held on for the three points as the final whistle sounded with no further goals. The result marked the end of Al-Ittihad’s unbeaten record in the league this season according to league tables.
League standings published after the match show Al-Hilal on 21 points from eight games with a 7-0-1 record. The club moved two points clear of Al-Qadsiah and level with Al-Nassr. Al-Ittihad sit in fourth place with 17 points from a 5-2-1 record.
Al-Riyadiyah newspaper reported that neither side had secured a 3-2 result in their previous 36 Saudi Pro League meetings since the competition started in 2008. The scoreline therefore represented a first in the history of matches between the two clubs in the top flight. ESPN data placed Al-Hilal’s possession at 48 percent while the team generated seven shots on target.
All three Al-Hilal goals were scored by players who joined the club from English clubs in the summer transfer window according to team records. The club has scored 26 goals across its eight league matches to date. Al-Ittihad had entered the fixture as the last side in the division without a defeat.
